Junior Ministers Jonathan Bell and Jennifer McCann at the official opening of the North Western Social Enterprise Hub with (left) Brian O’Neill, Hub manager and (right) John McGowan, chief executive, Enterprise North West. Photo: Lorcan Doherty Photography
The North West’s first Delivering Social Change Social Enterprise Hub has officially opened in Derry.
Funding of £4 million for the Social Enterprise Hub Signature Programme is being provided by the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister.
The North Western Hub – officially opened today by Junior Ministers Jennifer McCann and Jonathan Bell – is the first to be set up under the Programme, which is being delivered by the Department for Social Development and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment in conjunction with Invest NI.
Based at the Diamondand Shipquay Street, it is one of 11 Social Enterprise Hubs being established under the Northern Ireland Executive’s Delivering Social Change framework to encourage local start-up social enterprise businesses.
Junior Ministers Jonathan Bell and Jennifer McCann with Brian O’Neill, Hub manager (right). Photo: Lorcan Doherty Photography
Officially opening the Hub, Mr Bell Jonathan Bell said supporting social enterprise growth was a “key priority” for the Northern Ireland Executive.
He added: “We firmly believe that creating an environment for social enterprises to thrive will play an important role in redressing the economic position.”
He said the £4 million investment demonstrated the Executive’s commitment to supporting local communities to bring about social benefits.
He added: “The Social Enterprise Hubs will engage local people who have business ideas, and will help develop, support, promote and grow new social enterprises to help them get established.”
Ms McCann said it was “great” the first Delivering Social Change Social Enterprise Hub was “well and truly open for business” in Derry.
She added: “Without a strong economy you cannot tackle deprivation, deliver the health and social care people need, improve quality of life and deliver real social change.”
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